8 replies to this topic

[DandyDon]

Having a Enriched Air Card is a wonderful tool for any diver as there are times when it's a great idea. Not always. I hardly ever bother in Cozumel with the type of diving done there, but for a square profile wreck dive or for a busy liveaboard schedule - it can certainly have a lot of advantages. For those latter trips, it is certainly nice when everyone onboard is diving all Nitrox.

I really don't remember what I had to pay for my Nitrox course maybe 6 years ago? Seems like it was almost $200 including materials and card, plus a 150 miles round trip to Lubbock for the class and a 400 mile around trip for the 2 dives required then. The science has been greatly simplified, and I've seen the course, materials, and card package offered by Local Dive Shops in recent years for $100 complete - which is nice if you live close to one. I've also seen many divers wait until they plan the trip, then do the course on the trip - while I was chillin', nappin' or divin'.

This seems so much sweeter with the current simplifications of the science and online possibilities....

Online Scuba Sales, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403 seems to offer everything one needs right here for a flat $79.95. The card is issued by "Scuba Divers of America" their link and I don't know anything at all about them? I think I'd want to confirm that they are a recognized agency, but that'd be easy enough. Send an email.

Looks like one can get the card fast enough: "Most people can complete the course in about 10 to 15 hours of study. " Online or phone call help is include if you get stuck on the course. "Once you complete the course, we send several documents to you. Fill them out and send them back. There is an option on the final exam for Overnight and 2 day air service. The card can be printed and shipped to you in as little as 2 days. The entire process, after you complete the final exam, should take no longer than two weeks. Much faster, if you use an overnight service and eliminate the regular mail delay." It might help to watch the Padi video that my home bud was forced to buy with his course; you might ask around to see if any of your friends have the CD?

I suppose that an SDA card would be honored anywhere. If you would rather have an SDI card, HollywoodDivers.com offers their course for $139.95 here.

Hope this helps some get into Nitrox faster, easier, and in advance of planned trips - and it's always fun to save money...

[peterbj7]

I'm wary of anything like this, because although I often start my courses on-line I always meet with my students and always find issues that need to be covered in person.

I've never heard of SDA. SDI yes, but not SDA.

[DandyDon]

Thanks Petter. The SDA at that link is not the more famous and accredited one and may indeed be a scam. Read some more about them elsewhere. SI tried to amend my first post, too late....

SDI does offer online courses for as little as $119.95 it seems. Their link. I'll look around some more...

Edited by DandyDon, 20 March 2008 - 09:18 PM.

[pir8]

Out of curiousity I will try and sign up to be one of their instructors and evaluate from that end.

[DandyDon]

Out of curiousity I will try and sign up to be one of their instructors and evaluate from that end.

SDA?! The more I find on the net, the more it seems to be a hoax. Need to get Google to flag the site with a warning...!

Oh hell, sign me up as an Instructor, too.

[netmage]

I took nitrox from a TDI instructor 4 or so years ago... No dives required, all lecture and classroom. I didn't even have a book to read prior... Maybe 3 hours later I took the test and was certified... I believe I purchased a training bundle; AOW, Nitrox, Rescue

$80-120 seems reasonable....

Dunno anything about SDA, and the website Don lists looks hokie.... SDI on the otherhand has been around for quite some time, and has real training staff developing their programs....

[DandyDon]

I took nitrox from a TDI instructor 4 or so years ago... No dives required, all lecture and classroom. I didn't even have a book to read prior... Maybe 3 hours later I took the test and was certified... I believe I purchased a training bundle; AOW, Nitrox, Rescue

$80-120 seems reasonable....

Dunno anything about SDA, and the website Don lists looks hokie.... SDI on the otherhand has been around for quite some time, and has real training staff developing their programs....

I mentioned this to Peter, but let me clarify...

Scuba Divers of America, aka SDA, appears to be a hoax. An Operator could be free from liability for accepting their Nitrox card, but a prudent Op like Peter probly would not. I ran a WhoIs on the site and it showed Canada as set up site. They might possibly be using SDA to take advantage of the confusion with the other SDA which is reputable.

International Sports Diving Agency, aka SDA, is part of ITDA Group International - International Technical Diving Agency and indeed recognized as reputable.

[ScubaDrew]

SDA appears to be a hoax you say? That is too bad.

I think, personally, for Nitrox, there is no problem at all with getting the cert online. The class is just a few hours, take a test and bam, your certified. I think the nitrox course is taylor made for online learning, or vice-versa...

[DandyDon]

SDA appears to be a hoax you say? That is too bad.

I think, personally, for Nitrox, there is no problem at all with getting the cert online. The class is just a few hours, take a test and bam, your certified. I think the nitrox course is taylor made for online learning, or vice-versa...

Yep, I agree - just get it from SDI instead, $119.95, link above...